Online and St. Paul Programs

Bethel Seminary Seminary Placement Current Student and Alumni Internship

Preparation for ministry at Bethel Seminary is “in the field.” We enhance the classroom learning experience with an internship that includes on-site support and mentoring.

Choose an internship site congruent with your vocational goals and aspirations. The following contexts represent some of the possibilities:

  • Pastoral experience in a church and parachurch organization
  • Chaplain service in long term care
  • Clinical Pastoral Education
  • Military Chaplaincy

Experience Requirements

MDiv students

As part of, or in addition to your responsibilities at the internship site, you are required to document:

  • 3 sermons, each evaluated by yourself and two observers
  • Experience in ritual care or the conduct of special services and ordinances
  • Experience in training or teaching
  • Experience in organizational leadership
  • Experience in Pastoral Care
  • Experience in Professional Development

MA in Ministry students

As part of, or in addition to your responsibilities at the internship site, you are required to document:

  • Experience in training or teaching
  • Experience in the organizational accountability system and decision-making process at the site
  • Experience in Pastoral Care
  • Experience in Professional Development

Clinical Pastoral Education fulfills internship requirements for both MDiv and MA programs, without the addition of the above-listed experiences.

Preparation and Registration

Preparation begins with degree planning. Work with your Student Success Advisor to develop a degree completion plan that includes fulfillment of prerequisites and proper timing of your internship.

Begin the following preparation steps a minimum of two academic terms prior to your planned start of internship:

  • Consult with the Director of Internship to explore potential internship sites and specific preparation steps.
    • Those hoping to do Clinical Pastoral Education for internship, plan to apply to CPE programs 6-9 months prior to the start of the internship (the earlier, the better).
    • Others plan to begin making applications or discussions with potential sites in accordance with the site’s timelines.
  • Register for and complete TL001 Vocational Assessments. Usually offered in Fall and Spring.
  • Complete your reflective work, including your Personal and Professional Development Plan.
  • Secure a site:
    • Make arrangements with a site, on-site supervisor, and off-site mentor.
    • Complete your Internship Agreement.
  • Schedule your Vocational Formation Interview with the Director of Internship and Placement, to review your reflective work, internship goals, and internship arrangements.
  • You will receive permission to register after successful completion of these steps.

Final Interview

Toward the end of the internship, all students take part in a final interview, to address spiritual, personal, vocational and placement issues related to their internship experience and vocational goals. Specifically, the interview will touch on:

  • The internship experience
  • The student's final evaluation
  • Internship goal achievement, per the student's Internship Agreement
  • Issues of Vocation and Call
  • Next steps in development and/or placement

Feel free to consult with the Director of Internship and Placement at any time during your degree program for assistance with your internship plans.